In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Tarjanīhasta (तर्जनीहस्त) or simply Tarjanī refers to “underline, warn” and represents one of the twenty-four gestures with a single hand, as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—Accordingly, pratimā-lakṣaṇa (body postures of the icons) is comprised of hand gestures (hasta, mudrā or kai-amaiti), stances/poses (āsanas) and inflexions of the body (bhaṅgas). There are thirty-two types of hands [viz., tarjanīhasta] classified into two major groups known as tolirkai (functional and expressive gestures) and elirkai (graceful posture of the hand).

(Description of Tarjanī-hasta): It is a variation of the sūcī-hasta. Several other goddesses are very often described as tarjanī- pāśa-hasta, that is, “with a hand holding a tarjanī-pāśa.” It is not meant hereby that the deity holds a noose (pāśa) in one hand while another is shown in the tarjanī pose, but the epithet really means that the noose, which is meant for chastisement, is placed in the same hand, which is shown in the threatening pose.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Tarjani, Hasta.

Full-text: Tarjani, Sucihasta.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Tarjanihasta, Tarjanī-hasta, Tarjanīhasta, Tarjani-hasta; (plurals include: Tarjanihastas, hastas, Tarjanīhastas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Temples of Munnur (Historical Study) (by R. Muthuraman)

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